U.S. Army Troops Deploying to the Middle East
The United States Department of War is gearing up to send thousands of Army personnel to the Middle East as part of Operation Epic Fury against Iran, according to sources familiar with the matter.
In the next few days, the Pentagon is anticipated to announce the deployment of a brigade combat team from the 82nd Infantry Division, an elite unit stationed in North Carolina. Reports indicate this will involve between 2,000 and 3,000 troops, as initially detailed by the Wall Street Journal.
A U.S. government official, who requested anonymity, confirmed these plans to NPR.
The 82nd Airborne is designed for rapid response, capable of deploying a battalion within 18 hours and a brigade within 72 hours.
Officials chose not to disclose specifics regarding the timeline for troop arrival or their exact destinations, although they are currently based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
The military has referred inquiries to the White House, which stated that the Pentagon will be the source of any troop deployment announcements.
“As we have said, President Trump always has all military options at his disposal,” remarked White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly.
President Donald Trump previously mentioned that he was “not putting troops anywhere” when questioned about a potential ground operation. He emphasized his hesitance to commit U.S. forces abroad, reflecting a sentiment shared by many Americans according to recent surveys. He further stated that if a decision were to be made, he would prioritize operational security, meaning plans wouldn’t be disclosed publicly beforehand.
A source told Reuters that no final decision has been reached about entering Iran itself, but the U.S. is preparing to enhance its capacity for possible future operations.
Recently, the Pentagon dispatched nearly 5,000 Marines to the area across two units. Each is centered around an amphibious assault ship and accompanying vessels. Approximately 2,200 Marines set sail aboard the USS Tripoli, while another 2,500 departed from San Diego’s Camp Pendleton on the USS Boxer. Both groups are expected to arrive in the region within the next few weeks.
